Overview

In homes across the country, parents are watching a disturbing pattern unfold: kids who can't fall asleep, can't wake up, can't focus, and can't regulate emotions the way they used to. In schools, it shows up as distraction, absenteeism, escalating behavior issues, and burnout, not just in students, but in the adults trying to help them. And even as programs and spending expand, many communities aren't seeing meaningful relief. Exit Plan: Mapping a Way Out of the Youth Mental Health Crisis written by clinical social worker and educator Dr. Kathleen Mackenzie, LICSW, CIMHP is a compassionate, step-by-step guide for the adults who care for kids. It's for parents who feel trapped between protecting their child and fearing social fallout; for educators who need strategies that work within real school constraints; and for legislators and policymakers who want a clear blueprint for where to focus time and resources. You'll get a practical framework for what's changed, tools you can use immediately, and a roadmap for recovery, from resetting homes and stabilizing classrooms to policy solutions that better protect kids' wellbeing. In this book you will discover: - How smartphones, screen time, and sleep loss contribute to mood, behavior, learning, and attention problems - How to set limits that reduce conflict while rebuilding trust and connection - How to help kids reclaim sleep, motivation, and emotional steadiness - Language and frameworks that align staff, families, and students - Policy changes that can better protect kids - How to shift culture without turning adults into the ""tech police""

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Reviews

""A veteran clinician, Dr. Kathleen Mackenzie reveals how rapidly accelerating digital pressures are eroding the well-being of our youth. Exit Plan offers a clear roadmap for families, schools, and policymakers to step in together and safeguard the next generation.""Cathy Rutkowski, LICSWCo-Executive Director at the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County""A must-read for anyone invested in kids' well-being. Dr. Mackenzie delivers honest observations, practical insight and a hopeful vision for youth mental health.""Cara BeanAuthor of Here I Am, I Am Me: An Illustrated Guide to Mental Health""Exit Plan is a deeply insightful examination of the youth mental health crisis and the cultural forces shaping it...This book is both a wake-up call and a message of hope-reminding us that meaningful change is possible when we address root causes with clarity and compassion.""Darcy H. LeeExecutive Director, Samaritans SouthcoastTo people who value children...this book is required reading. Exit Plan is an amazing piece of work...Get a copy, read this book. Your child and you will both benefit. Do it now! We can't afford to wait.Barbara Braun Kaplan, MSW, LICSWAuthor of Gertrude & Gustave and Drizzly Bear's Magnificent Discovery ""From a seasoned pro who has worked on the front lines of youth mental health, Dr. Mackenzie offers step-by-step solutions for parents on how to ""protect the night,"" to set kids up for success in life. For educators, there is a plan for healthy technology use in school. For legislators, a proposal to protect our youth throughout their development. This book reveals how we as a species can better manage technology and better regulate our nervous systems in a society that is ""manufacturing distress.""Annie Rachele LanzillottoAuthor of L is for Lion

Author Information

Kathleen Mackenzie, EdD, MSW, LICSW, CIMHP is an award-winning clinical social worker and certified integrative mental health professional who has spent her career helping youth and families. A senior lecturer in behavioral science at Northeastern University, she has written for Psychology Today and maintains a private practice in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.Dr. Mackenzie earned degrees from Brown University, Boston University, and Northeastern University, and has received Boston University's Hubie Jones Urban Service Award, Northeastern University's Dean's Medal, and in 2025 was recognized as a Woman of Distinction by the YWCA. A lifelong learner, she is currently a fellow in a functional medicine psychiatry program.Grounded in both professional expertise and a lived experience of recovery from her own mental health challenges, Dr. Mackenzie writes with compassion, clarity, and a deep belief that solutions are possible. She lives in Massachusetts, where you can usually find her walking by the ocean, getting to the gym, playing pickleball, or chasing her dream of making daytime dancing a thing. You can learn more about her at www.grtevolve.com Kristen Lee, EdD, LICSW is a renowned behavioral science educator, best-selling author, and clinical social worker from Providence, Rhode Island who has reached millions with strengths-based resources that foster connection and advance science and solidarity. As Lead Faculty for Behavioral Science at Northeastern University, her research focuses on individual and organizational well-being and resilience, particularly for marginalized populations. She consults globally with educational organizations on leveraging behavioral science to build mentally healthy cultures that prevent burnout and promote sustainability.Dr. Lee is author of four books: RESET: Make the Most of Your Stress (2015 Next Generation Indie Book Award winner), Mentalligence: A New Psychology of Thinking, Worth the Risk (2022 Nautilus Book Award Silver Medal), and Clean Slate: How to Make Change Happen. Her work has been featured at Harvard Medical School, Brown University, and on NPR. She received EdTech's 2022 MVP award for mental health innovation in higher education and a 2023 honorary doctorate in humane letters. She operates a clinical practice devoted to educators and health professionals. She holds a BS from Worcester State University, MSW from Boston University and an Ed.D. from Northeastern University Jody Barna is a New England-Based Artist & Illustrator. You can learn more about her at www.JBarnaStudio.com

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